Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will be in Ohio next month to raise money, but the
question is for whom?

Christie, the Republican Governors Association chairman and a possible contender for the GOP’s
presidential nomination in 2016, is headlining the annual fundraising dinner for the Summit County
Republican Party in the Akron area on Sept. 29. Christie’s planned visit was first reported by the
Associated Press.

An employee at the Summit County GOP said the fundraiser is for the local party -- $300 per
ticket – and there will be a private reception beforehand. As RGA chair, Christie’s primary
function is to raise money in support of Republican governors in elections. Ohio’s Republican
governor, John Kasich, is up for re-election this fall, but it’s unclear how this fundraiser helps
Kasich’s coffers.

The RGA, though, has already supported Kasich with a “seven figure” TV ad campaign and has
pledged to spend more in Ohio over the final two months. A spokesman with the RGA would not confirm
Christie’s Akron trip.

Last November, Christie said “I love John Kasich” and “I’ll come to Ohio for John as
frequently as he wants me to.” This would be Christie’s first public appearance in Ohio since new
broke that his aides purposefully caused a traffic build up on the George Washington Bridge
connecting New York and New Jersey for political retribution to a Jersey-side mayor.

Not only is Kasich running against Democrat Ed FitzGerald this fall, but no Republican has
ever won the White House without Ohio, so a trip here next month could help Christie’s presidential
aspirations if they materialize.

Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Christie friend, is headlining a party fundraiser
in Youngstown tonight, according to the Youngstown Vindicator.